On June 7, we will be voting as a church family on our Ministry Financial Plan (MFP), or church budget, for the 2026-27 fiscal year. In the Channel and online, you’ll see this referred to as the General Fund. Giving to the General Fund is the most direct way you can financially support our church’s ongoing ministries. We cover the process to develop our church budget in prayer at every step, seeking the Lord’s guidance in where His church should prioritize funding and casting vision for the next year. Budget areas originate from each ministry area or associated committee, are reviewed and approved by our staff and Stewardship Committee, then are reviewed and approved by our Advisory Council totaling more than 60 people consisting of committee chairs, deacons, staff, and church officers, and lastly goes to the church body for final approval. It’s an extremely intentional and thoughtful process, and we want our church family to have full confidence in how their tithes are being used.

With that budget, we fund the various ministries here at South Tulsa as we serve alongside you. The General Fund supports vocational ministers and staff who serve alongside our church family daily, lead out in discipleship across all ages, and respond to families and community in crisis. It keeps our facilities ready to host 80-100 internal and external events every week. Our community and global mission partners, such as The Ministry Center, Jenks CarePoint, Bixby and Jenks school food ministries, missions in Guatemala, India, Malaysia, Ukraine, and Venezuela, and many more are funded through the General Fund. A perfect display of this is our English as a Second Language (ESL) program, which we host out of our church building. It provides hospitality and excellent teaching for every student, and funds teachers that engage the 180 students from 31 nations represented. The General Fund supports everything detailed in our Ministry Financial Plan, all while remaining debt free through our Capital Reserves account. In all of these ministries, our commitment remains to carry out the Great Commission set forth in Matthew 28:19-20 and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

As we begin our new fiscal year on July 1, we invite you to give to the General Fund as an expression of faith that serves as an act of gratitude and dependence on God, supporting the many ministries that happen here at South Tulsa. Giving to the General Fund is the purest form of the ten percent tithe that we are given a model of in Malachi 3:10, as the Lord calls us to give generously of our first fruits to Him and His church.

We encourage you to attend our final Q&A today (5/17) at 12:15 p.m. in the Chapel if you have any questions about the new budget. Printed copies of the plan are available at the Welcome Center for you to pick up and review. View a digital copy HERE or online at southtulsa.org/church-resources.

A few weeks ago, Doug and I became grandparents for the first time. Our daughter, Ainsley had a baby boy and watching her become a mother has brought us so much joy. We’ve seen this role shape and grow her in all the best ways from the day she found out she was going to be a mother.

Thinking about today, I feel especially grateful for the women who have shaped my life. My mom, Denise, and grandmother, Helen, both strong in their faith, have shown me Christ’s love through their example. My sister, Lisa has taught me how to trust God in every season. Their influence has made a lasting difference in my life.

The Bible shows us that being a mother isn’t just about biology. In Exodus, Pharaoh’s daughter finds Moses and raises him as her own. In Judges, Deborah calls herself a “mother in Israel” as she cares for her people and leads them. In Romans, Paul greets Rufus and his mother, saying she “has been a mother to me, too.”

There are many women who have invested in my life and been like mothers to me, offering love, support, and guidance. Their wisdom, encouragement, and genuine care have come just when I needed them most, providing comfort in difficult times and joy in moments of celebration. Through their mentoring, prayers, and friendship, they have made a lasting difference in my life, and I am truly grateful for each of them.

While today is a celebration for many, it can also be a day of deep longing or grief. For those finding Mother’s Day difficult this year, take comfort knowing that God sees you and He is near to the brokenhearted. Whether you are navigating loss, waiting on a promise, or simply hurting, may you find comfort in His closeness today.

As we honor biological mothers, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, bonus moms, spiritual mothers, and all those who have ever been like a mother to us, may we give thanks this Mother’s Day for all the women in our lives who have shaped us and pointed us to the Lord.

This week on May 7, it will be the National Day of Prayer. This year, the theme is Glorify God Among the Nations. Throughout scripture, God reminds His people that He has a redemptive plan for the nations. God blessed Abraham and promised that a descendant would come who would bless all the nations of the earth. This was fulfilled in Jesus, and now the Church lives within that mission as it shares the Gospel with the world.

Our College and Young Adult group has been studying the book of Romans all semester. It has been an amazing study of God’s grace and about who we are to be as a people shaped by our relationship with Christ. As Paul draws his letter to the Romans to a close, he calls this beloved group into a time of prayer for him and his ministry of sharing the Gospel with those who have not heard the name of Jesus. His instruction can guide us as we approach this day of praying for God’s glory among the nations.

In Romans 15:30, Paul urges the Romans to join his struggle by praying for him. We may not be called as a missionary to another nation, but we can join their struggle as their brothers and sisters by interceding for them in prayer. In verse 31, Paul specifically asks the Romans to pray for his safety as he goes to a people that may be hostile to the Gospel. Let us not stop praying for the safety of missionaries and for the hearts of those with whom they share Christ. Pray that they find people of peace who will welcome them into their communities.

Paul finishes by asking them to pray that he may joyfully join them in person and be refreshed by their company. Pray that the Church around the world will be a unified people that is refreshing to one another as we are on mission for Christ. Go into this special time of prayer, seeking the Lord’s provision for missionaries around the world and for our community of faith here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as we encounter the nations right here at home.  

Falls Creek has always been more than just a camp to me. It’s personal. It’s the place where I felt God clearly call me into ministry, and that moment has stuck with me ever since. I went as a student just expecting a fun week, but God used it to completely shift the direction of my life. Because of that, every time I go back, it’s not just another trip, but a reminder of what He’s done and what He’s still doing. There’s just something different about that week.

Students will step away from all the normal distractions, and it becomes a lot easier to focus on the Lord. Whether it’s worship with hundreds of other students, time in the Word, or even those random late-night cabin conversations, God has a way of using all of it. Some of the most real, honest, and impactful moments I’ve had in my faith have happened at Falls Creek.

This year’s theme is “Set Apart.” I chose this specifically because students need to know that as a follower of Christ, they are no longer of this world. They have been chosen for a specific purpose God has set apart just for them. And it’s not just for a week, but in everyday life! We are being set apart for God in how we should live, lead, and love people. And yeah, the week is also a ton of fun - volleyball, kickball, hanging out, and way too many ICEEs. Falls Creek really has helped shape who I am. It’s a place I care deeply about because I’ve seen how God uses it to change lives, mine included. Continue to pray for the student ministry as we launch into summer and beyond!

Psalm 100:1-2 encourages God’s people to worship and sing to Him. It says, “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” The past several weeks have been a busy period in the musical life of our church. I am so thankful to be a part of a church family that enthusiastically sings praises to our God. Scripture also implores one generation to commend the works of the Lord to another (Psalm 145:4). That is exactly what we have been doing. On Palm Sunday, our Children’s Choir had the opportunity to sing with the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra, reminding us of our Savior’s strength and kindness as we all learn a new hymn together. Our Sanctuary Choir also led-out in our Good Friday service this year. Together we remembered Jesus’ sacrifice and that our sins are atoned for and forgiven. Our Student Choir and Orchestra reminded us on Easter Sunday that we have life because Jesus is alive. We have had other great musical moments with our handbells and at the TMBN Celebration.

Christians are a singing people! We have the greatest message to proclaim in our songs. Thank you, South Tulsa, for your singing and participation in worship. Thank you for being open to some new ideas and new things we have been doing in music ministry. I would like to encourage you to join us! There is a place for you to serve in music at South Tulsa.

This week, Sean McKinney and I are in Jacksonville, FL for the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference. I am looking forward to this time of mutual encouragement and interaction with music ministers from all across the country. I always come back from those times refreshed. I want to express my thanks to Brian Easterwood and Philip Stephens for leading in worship in our services this morning. We are blessed with wonderful people who have a heart for and a deep commitment to Christ and His church. As you sing this morning, I pray that you are reminded of God’s love. It is a love, that as the hymn says, “demands my soul, my life, my all.”

How do you view people from around the world? I’m sure you would be surprised to know many of their stories. Recently, we visited Malaysia. We were there to visit the Zomi churches and the Zomi Association of Malaysia. These are probably foreign to you just as they were to me until I was there. Zomi are a people group native to Burma, and many have left Burma because of religious persecution. The largest Zomi population outside of Burma is in Malaysia. They are there waiting, many for over 10 years, to go to a country where they will have basic rights like healthcare, education, the ability to work, etc.

The Zomi people are a Nation – a Christian Nation, and they brought the church with them when they fled. Even though Malaysia is a temporary situation, they set up solutions for success, not only for their own people but for other refugees who need help. This is what the Zomi Association of Malaysia does. They created schools for their children to learn in English so that when they get to their third country, they are ready for success. They provide healthcare, and they help with appointments with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). Without this, they will not be registered to move on to their third country.

Tulsa has the second-largest population of Zomi people outside of Burma, and we are blessed to have them. My husband has been in the hospital recently, and he has had nurses, nurse techs, occupational therapists, and physical therapists from Nigeria, Peru, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Pakistan, India and a few from the Hmong people. If you think people from around the world are not part of our community, I can tell you that they are.

We loved every part of the time we spent with the Zomi people. Is it because we feel called to missions? I hope it is because Mathew 28:19 tells all of us to go. The first step into someone’s life is to befriend them. They might just be your neighbor.

Welcome to South Tulsa Baptist Church as we celebrate Easter together. Whether you’re a long-time member or this is your first time here, we’re so glad you chose to worship with us. We love seeing the many people and families who participate with us on this special morning of praise. Easter Sunday is a great day for family, friends, and loved ones. Most importantly, however, Easter reminds us of the heart of the Christian faith—that we can have life to the fullest because Jesus Christ is alive!

On Easter Sunday we do not merely say or sing, “Christ arose.” We proclaim, “He IS Risen!” As Frederick Dale Bruner wrote, “Many great figures of history live on in their words and works, but these historical figures are not themselves alive. Yet Jesus of Nazareth not only lives on in His historically remarkable teaching and in His powerful influence; He lives on because He is personally alive.”

We believe not only that Christ lived, but that He lives—yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus is our risen Lord who has made the way for us to have life—though we were once dead in our sins and transgressions, we can be made fully alive in Him.

Here at South Tulsa, we are fully committed to “sharing the Good News about Jesus in our community and around the world.” If you and your family have not found a church home in the Tulsa metro area, we would love to get to know you better and share more with you about what it means to be part of our church family and the many great things God is doing in our midst.

Today, we pray that your heart will be open to what Christ has for you, and that you’ll take the next step in following Jesus on the path that leads to life—both now and forever!

He is Risen…He is Risen Indeed! Happy Easter!

Throughout the Bible, one of God’s most frequent commands is to remember. The Lord tells His people to remember the Sabbath, to remember His goodness, His word, His faithfulness, where they have come from by His provision, His promises for the future, and so many other things. But why is this so important?

Christianity is a faith that tells and sings of who our God is and what He has done. We remember His works so we can proclaim to the world that we have a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! The first step of the Church is to preach the gospel to each other – the older generations to the younger, the parents to the children, and even the children to their elders. David wrote in Psalm 145:3-4, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.” 

The voices of every generation matter in the Church, and we should praise Him with every voice of all ages for all time, declaring His greatness to each other and to a watching world. South Tulsa Baptist Church is blessed with a multi-generational music ministry, something we don’t see very often these days, and that is one of my favorite things about serving here and leading the South Tulsa Kids Choirs. In any given season, you can hear the voices of grandparents, parents, children, and preschoolers in our church as they sing praises to the Lord about the things He has done for us.

That’s exactly what you’re seeing on the platform today. We’re beginning Palm Sunday with an all-generations time of music as our Children’s Choir joins the adults to sing the modern hymn Jesus, Strong and Kind. You’ll hear voices of every age singing to you and to each other that “the Lord is good and faithful” and “we should always run to Jesus” when we’re weak, afraid, needy, and lost. Let’s join our voices together as one body in Christ, singing together that Jesus saves!

Do you feel God moving in your life? Do you see Him at work in our church? Now is the time to notice and join Him. The Lord is working through the hands and feet of our ministries. We are blessed with many opportunities to serve our community and the communities around Tulsa. I see His hand at work, and I feel compelled to share the goodness of what He is doing through His Church and the body of Christ.

Each Wednesday evening, I join our College and Young Adult group in the Chapel. The Lord is shaping this ministry in powerful ways. Together we are digging into the book of Romans, asking honest questions, wrestling with what it means to follow God, and seeking biblical answers for life’s challenges.

Our young adults are navigating the real, everyday challenges of life while learning to apply biblical truth and discover what they truly believe. I love that we can pursue authenticity, faithfulness, and truth together. It brings me great joy to see our church be a safe place where honest questions are welcomed and where we seek answers by turning to God’s Word.

At the Ministry Center, we are in a season of harvest. For years, we have invested in our community by consistently showing love, offering care, and sharing the gospel. Because of that faithfulness, lives are being transformed. People are coming to Christ every month, sometimes nearly every week! Some of our long-time clients are now housed, rebuilding their lives, and reconnecting with their families. As we celebrate these victories, our hearts are encouraged, and our passion is renewed to continue sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Let me ask you a question. Are you connected to a ministry? Our church has many opportunities to serve, grow, and share the love of Christ. If you are not sure where to start, we would love to help you find a place to get plugged in.

If you are in a season of prayer and waiting and have not yet seen the harvest, take heart. Stay in God’s Word and continue to pray. Scripture reminds us in 2 Thessalonians 5:16–18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Even when we cannot see it, God is working. He is faithful, and He is moving among us!

On March 21, 1556, Thomas Cranmer was put to death for his Protestant beliefs. Cranmer was an influential leader during the English Reformation. He helped promote the translation and use of the Bible in English and played a key role in producing the Book of Common Prayer, which guided Protestant reforms in the English church and continues to influence worship in many churches today.

When Mary I of England came to power, she sought to restore Roman Catholicism throughout England. As a result, Protestant leaders like Cranmer were placed in great danger. He was eventually arrested and martyred for his faith.

When I read about the lives of Christians who faced such persecution, I often reflect on my own walk with the Lord and wonder how it would hold up under intense pressure. At the same time, I am filled with gratitude for the freedom we have to worship openly—something many of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world still cannot do. Many believers continue to gather quietly and courageously, worshiping under the threat of imprisonment or worse.

In the coming days, two teams from our church will be going out into the harvest to encourage fellow believers abroad and to serve as ambassadors for the hope we have in Christ. As we take these trips, we recognize that there are always risks involved—from travel itself to the challenges we may encounter along the way. We also know we have an enemy who would love to see these efforts fail. I ask our church family to pray that we would stand firm in faith, much like Cranmer and many others who have gone before us.

My heart is especially drawn to the closing words of the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus teaches us to pray for protection from temptation and deliverance from the evil one. While we are away, we will face many decisions, both big and small. Our prayer is that in every moment and every choice, Christ would be honored in all that we say and do.

Daylight Saving Time began at 2:00 a.m. Though the idea dates back to Benjamin Franklin—who in 1784 humorously suggested that waking earlier in summer could conserve candle usage—the practice was not widely adopted until World War I, when nations implemented it to save fuel during wartime. Today, research shows DST produces minimal energy savings. Even so, it continues in many places, partly to extend evening daylight for leisure activities, and with the hope of reducing crime and traffic accidents.

However, evidence suggests the time change may do more harm than good. According to Johns Hopkins University, shifting the clock forward is associated with increased risks of heart attacks and strokes, mood disturbances, mental health struggles, higher hospital admissions, stress-related inflammation, weakened immune response, metabolic disruption, and even rises in fatal auto accidents and workplace injuries. A single lost hour of sleep and a one-hour disruption to our routines can significantly affect the body.

It is striking how difficult it can be to adjust to such a small change. For many, change of any kind is challenging. We fear it, resist it, and worry about what it might bring. Even positive changes—breaking a bad habit, starting a new opportunity, or pursuing personal growth—are often uncomfortable as we face the unfamiliar. Yet change is unavoidable. Life brings both welcome and unwelcome changes: a new job, a difficult diagnosis, the birth of a child, the end of a relationship. Communities shift with construction projects or rising prices. Nations and the world experience natural disasters, policy changes, and global events. It can feel as though instability outweighs certainty.

However, scripture makes it clear that amid constant change, there is One who remains the same. Malachi 3:6 declares, “I the Lord do not change.” Hebrews 13:8 affirms, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” God’s character, promises, and power are steadfast.

So as you wearily adjust to the time change, rather than lament that lost hour of sleep, be reminded and comforted knowing that whatever changes may occur in the coming days, God’s presence, grace, mercy, faithfulness, and love for you will never change.

The month of March always feels like a time of newness, signaling a change of the seasons as we move from cold to warm weather. For some it’s the beginning of allergy season, and for others it’s time to watch college basketball. Regardless of what springtime means to you, there is something truly healing about the warmth of sunshine as it hits your face for the first time you walk outside each day. New flowers blossom in March and new life begins as we kick off the year. I’m already excited for Easter! One verse I like to dwell on in this season is from Isaiah,

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!    
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland” 
(Isaiah 43:18-19).

The Lord gives us intentional times to recenter and prepare for a new season of growth in the Spring. We can be introspective and do a health check on our own walk with the Lord, cast vision and create new life rhythms for our families, and look out into our city and the world to where we can bring the newness and hope of Christ. Yes, we can do all of these things at any point and should do them regularly. However, for those of us that feel stuck or needing some help getting started, you can be comforted that the rest of the Lord’s creation is getting going with you. The ground is warming up and preparing for new life. I think back to Pastor Eric’s “God-Made” series where we walked through Genesis together. For those screen and media tips that we talked about, if you haven’t created those new rhythms yet for yourself, now would be a good time. All of us are distracted from the things that matter most at times, so let’s commit to taking a step together towards recentering on our Creator and listening to what exciting new things He has in store for us this year.

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

As crazy as it seems, summer is already on the way, and this week I will be leading a VBS training for some of our state’s children’s ministry leaders. This year’s VBS theme, “Illumination Station,” is all about shining a light on the biblical truth of Jesus’ identity. Throughout the week, kids will learn that Jesus is the promised, perfect, powerful, and proven Son of God and that He is God’s plan for our forgiveness. All of this is focused around John 8:12.

Though this may be a familiar verse to you and may bring back childhood memories of singing “This Little Light of Mine,” the truth behind it is anything but childish. When Jesus declared that He is the light of the world, He was making a bold claim about His divine identity. Light guides, protects, gives life, and reveals what darkness hides. Jesus does the same.

Children easily understand the difference between light and dark. They know how comforting a nightlight can be in a dark room. However, as adults, we often forget how much we still need that light and comfort. We face uncertainties, burdens, and decisions that can feel overwhelming. We are bombarded with news daily about the darkness within our fallen world. Of course, Jesus’ promise is not that darkness won’t exist, but that those who follow Him will not walk in it. His presence allows us to navigate the darkness with confidence and peace.

As we look towards this summer and prepare to teach children about the Light of the world, I pray that we may also allow His light to shine in the darkness of our own lives. Today, whatever shadows surround you, remember that the Light of the world is near. Turn your face toward Him, let His truth guide your steps, and let Him shine through you.

This week, we’ll offer our community-friendly Ash Wednesday services in the Chapel for the tenth year in a row.

Several years ago, it was almost unheard of for Baptist churches to hold Ash Wednesday services. Things have changed, however, as today there is an increasing number of what one pastor recently called “Ashy Baptists.”

Our services use Scripture as our liturgy, accompanied by hymns, spiritual songs, and reflection. The marking of ashes is totally optional, and anyone is welcome to simply come and participate in the service.

Ashes, along with sackcloth, are the most common signs of repentance throughout Scripture. We think of Job, David, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. Paul uses this image in Romans 12 with the talk of “heaping hot coals on their heads.” The 40 days of Lent, usually accompanied with a fast of some kind, represent Jesus’ fasting and temptation by Satan during His 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4, Luke 4). The applying of ashes to the forehead (from Palm Sunday branches) is a traditional part of the service to “mark” the beginning of a season of fasting and reflection on Christ’s death.

The roots of Lent date back to some of the earliest days of the Church. Lent is observed with anticipation of our celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. As thousands of Christians from all over the world will start observing the Lenten season often accompanied by a period of fasting, we also will join in a time of deep reflection and repentance with anticipation of our celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Rather than reflecting on Christ’s death and resurrection for a day or even a week, Ash Wednesday and Lent give us the opportunity to consider the work of Christ with more discipline for a full 40 days.

I hope you will join us for one of the services. If you cannot, make a note to pray for these services and all who will participate—
including many visitors!

In the movie Groundhog Day, Phil Connors wakes up to the same day again and again. He hears the same alarm, the same music, and has the same conversations and expectations. At first, it’s funny, but after a while, Phil feels tired, frustrated, and angry. No matter how hard he tries, the day always starts over.

Maybe you can relate. Life is meaningful, but it can also feel repetitive. The days go by, but our routines stay the same and regardless of how hard we try, habits and challenges can resurface again and again.

The Bible speaks honestly about this feeling. In chapter 7 of Romans, the apostle Paul speaks to the reality of our weakness or ability to change ourselves. He admits that our efforts are limited, even when we mean well. By the end of the chapter, Paul reminds us that real change comes from depending on God, not just trying harder.

In Romans 8, the focus shifts from struggling on our own to finding freedom and life in the Spirit. Paul reminds us that God is with us, especially when we feel our limits the most.

This promise is important on days when we feel tired, when old problems come back, or when we feel stuck in the same patterns. We are not alone. God is working in us, around us, and often in ways we cannot see.

In the movie Groundhog Day, the repetition doesn’t go away, but it changes. When Phil stops trying to control the outcome of the day, that same day becomes a chance for him to grow. In the same way, as we surrender to the Lord and allow Him to work through us, the Lord shapes us over time.

Romans assures us that nothing is wasted – not the hard days, the routines, or the long seasons. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in God, who is faithfully continuing His work in us, shaping us through every repetition and trial.

Over the past few weeks, I have been reminded that prayer is not simply something we do before meals or in moments of crisis, but that it is the steady, faithful work of God’s people. This week, I want to invite you, church family, to unite in focused prayer around two specific areas where God is clearly at work among us: our students and the student ministry’s upcoming mission and summer trips.

First, let us pray for students and teachers as they continue through the school year. For students, pray for wisdom in decisions, perseverance in their work, courage to live out their faith, and friendships that encourage what is good and life-giving. Pray as well for students who may feel isolated, overwhelmed, or discouraged. Ask God to surround them with godly friendships, strong mentors, and a deep sense of belonging within the church and our Student Ministry. Pray that our students would develop a genuine love for Scripture, a growing desire for prayer, and a boldness to follow Jesus even when it is difficult.

Second, let us lift up our upcoming Guatemala mission trip, along with our summer trips to Falls Creek and the Junior/Senior trip. Pray for safe travel, clear planning, and unity among leaders and students. Ask God to prepare hearts now! Let their hearts be full of humility, teachability, and bold faith. For Guatemala, pray that our team would serve with compassion and sensitivity, and that the gospel would be clearly reflected through both words and actions. For Falls Creek and Junior/Senior trip, pray that God would use these experiences to deepen relationships, spark spiritual growth, and call students into greater obedience and trust.

May we be a church that believes prayer matters, not as a formality, but as a powerful means by which God shapes His people and advances His purposes!

In RAs and GAs, we are studying the pioneer missionaries, along with our own IMB and NAMB Missionaries. We recently studied about Lottie Moon (Charlotte). In studying about her, I realized I actually knew very little about her life and service to the Lord. Honestly, I knew more about the Lottie Moon Christmas offering than the actual person.

Lottie Moon was from an affluent family in Virginia. Her father died when she was just 13 years old. Her family valued education. In 1861, Lottie received the first Master of Arts degree awarded to a woman. She was fluent in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, and later became an expert in Chinese.

Lottie cared little for the Christian beliefs most of her friends had, until she had a spiritual awakening on the college campus she attended, as many of her friends prayed for her.

In her early years, she taught at female academies until July 7, 1873, when the Foreign Mission Board (IMB) officially appointed 32-year-old Lottie as a missionary to China. She settled in Dengzhou and discovered her passion: direct evangelism. She had come to China to “go out among the millions” as an evangelist, only to find herself relegated to teaching school children.

She became a prolific letter writer to the head of the Foreign Mission Board, informing him of the realities of mission work and the desperate need for more workers, both men and women.

At the age of 45, she gave up teaching and moved into the interior to evangelize full-time. Her converts numbered in the hundreds. She continued to write letters and share the desperate need for more missionaries, which the poorly funded board could not provide. She encouraged Southern Baptist women to organize Mission Societies in the local church, to help support additional missionaries. This was the beginning of the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU). She then proposed that the week before Christmas be established as a time of giving to Foreign Missions.

During the wars in China, famine and disease took their toll. She began to share her personal finances and food with anyone in need around her, severely affecting both her physical and mental health. By 1912, at 4’3”, she only weighed 50 lbs. Fellow missionaries arranged for her to be sent back to the States with a missionary companion. Sadly, Lottie died en route on December 24, 1912, at the age of 72 on the ship in the harbor of Kobe, Japan. When Lottie died, she had almost nothing left to her name, because she had given everything to the Chinese people she served.

I am so proud that our church gives so generously to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. This year we surpassed our goal and gave $257,760 that will go to IMB missionaries around the world.

Today, on Sanctity of Life Sunday, I’d like to focus on the sacredness of human life in relation to Genesis 1:27– “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

I invite us to take a moment to consider this wonderful truth that all human lives are sacred. We were created in the divine image of God…all humans—no matter how big or how small.

The other day, as I was talking with our six-year-old son—the smallest person in our family—we were discussing what makes something important. My husband stepped in to help explain that something’s size doesn’t determine its value, and he used my wedding ring as an example. The diamond, he said, is tiny—one of the smallest things we own—yet it is among the most valuable. Not simply because of what a jeweler might say it’s worth, but because of what it represents. The small stone carries meaning far beyond its size. In the same way, fundamental human worth is not grounded in physical strength, intelligence, productivity, independence, or social influence. It does not increase with competence or diminish with vulnerability.

In an article from Focus on the Family titled “Made in the image of God: What does it mean and why does it matter?” The author, Subby Sztersky, mentions that to be created in the image of God is to have value. He observes that “Everything in the cosmos has value because it was made by God. But since human beings bear God’s image, we possess an innate value beyond anything else in the created order. This is why every human life, regardless of its relative potential or accomplishments, is sacred from the moment of conception to the moment of death.”

Human value is God-given, not earned or assigned, because we are made in God’s image. For that reason, every human life—no matter how small, dependent, or unseen—possesses a dignity and significance that cannot be measured or taken away.

I recently started going through a devotional called Everyday Prayer with the Puritans. The Puritans had a way of taking a verse or a concept in Scripture and uncovering as many layers as they possibly could. The result is a profound understanding of a subject in Scripture. The Puritans’ writings on prayer hold a deep trust that God understands, hears, and responds to His children’s prayers no matter the form they may take.

One Puritan theologian, David Dickson, writes of the prayers we speak aloud as an expression of earnestness and dependence upon God. The use of our voice in prayer is the expression of the faith we have in God and the great privilege we have to go directly to the throne of God. “Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth (Psalm 52:2).” We can trust that the Lord hears our prayers. However, there are moments in our lives when prayers may be difficult to speak. In such moments where sorrow runs so deep, we do not have the ability to express our prayers with words. On this, the Puritan Richard Sibbes writes, “My groanings are not hid from thee (Psalm 38:9), God can pick sense out of a confused prayer… Sometimes a Christian hath such confused thoughts, he can say nothing, but as a child cries, ‘O Father,’ not able to shew what it needs, as Moses at the Red Sea.” What a beautiful reminder of God as our Father and us as His children. We may not know the fullness of the difficult circumstance we find ourselves in. Even still, our immediate cries, sometimes without words, are understood by our Father in Heaven.  

In Romans 8:15-16, the Apostle Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit is our constant reminder that we are God’s children and that by the Holy Spirit we cry out “Abba, Father.” We can find comfort that as children of God we are never alone. In fact, we are invited by God to communicate directly with Him. “Prayer is the means by which our conversations with God occur and by which we speak to God and listen to God. Praise God!” (Donald K McKim, author of Everyday Prayer with the Puritans).

As I type out the number 2026, I can hardly believe it’s real. This year, Lord willing, my family and I look forward to several things. In May, we will celebrate 10 years with this wonderful church since I was voted in as pastor in 2016, and our oldest son Adin will graduate from OBU. Then, in June, Rebecca and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage!

We are beginning this year in a great place as a church family as well, and we believe God has great things in store for us now and in the future.

Looking back at the last several years, both our family and our church have been blessed in countless ways. I am very thankful for God’s faithfulness in the past, and I am looking hopefully at the present and the future.

With the present and future in mind, I want to share some of my personal and church-related goals for you as we begin this new year together. In 2026, I’m focused on:

• Spiritual, emotional, and physical health 
• More relationships, less screen time I
• mproved resources and growth opportunities for families to grow in Christ together
• Programs for biblical education and training to prepare for ministry
• Encountering God through WORSHIP more than just on Sundays
• A strategic commitment to DISCIPLESHIP and mutual encouragement in the Lord
• Building COMMUNITY with one another
• Faithfulness in SERVICE to our community and looking for new opportunities
• A renewed vision for SENDING out our people on mission in our city and beyond

I’ve never been more excited to be the pastor of this wonderful church and to serve alongside each of you. I am praying that we will join God in the great work He is doing as we share the Good News of Jesus in our community and around the world!

The word “glory” is often heard within our church setting—it was the title of our recent Christmas musical Gloria, and we also sing of the Lord’s glory in many of our hymns and worship songs throughout the year. I’d like to invite us to take a moment to pause amidst the busyness of the season to consider the depth of this word’s meaning—especially when referring to the glory of the Lord.  

Author Paul David Tripp writes, “Life on earth is a constant glory war. We are attracted to glorious things. That’s why we love a great meal, a championship game, a sunset. But every glorious thing God has created points to His glorious glory. We were never intended to live for our own glory. Our glory orientation should drive us to the Lord.”

What glorious things has the Lord put before you and me to draw our attention upward toward Him? Are there areas in our lives that are trying to “steal the show” and bring glory to ourselves in contrast to glorifying the Lord who has given us all good things? One of my son’s favorite songs and albums is titled “My Story, Your Glory” by Matthew West. The song’s lyrics state:
All of me, all for You
Let all I say and all I do
Point to the one who changed my life
And let me speak the legacy I leave behind
My story, Your glory 

As we have now wrapped up the holiday season and are heading into a new year, let’s acknowledge the glory of the Lord as we plan for the months ahead, to ponder the gifts that He has so graciously given us, and use them to bring glory to our Creator and Savior. Let us glorify the Lord together in the year 2026!

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).”

I was reminded this week, just a few days before Christmas, of how easily I can begin to focus on the things I feel will make or break our Christmas Day. As a parent of five children, I often stress over purchasing the perfect gifts for my kids to make sure their day is special and enjoyable. I found myself thinking of the Grinch and how he tried to “steal” Christmas, only to be puzzled when removing the gifts didn’t change the outcome of the day.

I asked one of my children a simple question: “Would Christmas be okay if you didn’t get any gifts this year?” Their puzzled look and hesitant “yes” revealed just how much we associate Christmas with presents and decorations—and how challenging it can be to imagine the day without them.

Last week, Pastor Eric preached from Isaiah 9, where the people are described as walking in darkness—even deep darkness—yet a light dawns. The imagery shifts to a people once enslaved and heavily burdened, only to have those burdens broken, as at the defeat of Midian. What was the force that broke through the darkness? A child. God would send His Son as a baby who would overcome the darkness.

The light revealed in that baby was small, like the dawning of the sun, gradually growing brighter as it was fully revealed in the life of Christ. He who began as a baby in a manger would soon become the Savior on the cross. The light was small in Bethlehem, but mighty when Jesus rose from the dead.

Regardless of the gifts given or received, our reason to rejoice has not been diminished or changed. We can easily get caught up in what the world considers important during this time of year, but we must be disciplined to pause and remember the most impactful journey ever taken. As last week’s sermon reminded us, “Advent is not our journey to God, but God’s journey to us.” Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

It is my joy to offer a very heart felt thank you for your encouragement and support of me to be your Minister of Music. I am so humbled and grateful to be a part of this incredible church. I couldn’t imagine a better church family or staff to serve alongside. I love this church’s heritage of musical excellence. It is my great desire that this tradition continue as the Lord leads us on in the months and years to come. We have such dedicated Christian musicians that faithfully use their abilities to serve the Lord and His church.

As you are reading this today, our music ministry is presenting Christmas at South Tulsa – Gloria. It is a wonderful time for our community and church family to come together and see the gospel presented in music, drama, and service. Even if you attend the shortened program in the 10:50 a.m. service, I would encourage you to come back tonight for the full performance with live nativity at 6:00 p.m. I know that you will be blessed. So many people have worked together to make it a very special night.

As we continue our journey through this Christmas season, I pray that our voices, hearts, and lives would be in tune with the Lord as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. May our souls magnify the Lord with Mary, praise Him for redemption with Zechariah, and sing glory to God with the angels. “Gloria in excelsis Deo!”

Now that the Christmas season has officially begun, I’ve been thinking about what I truly want for Christmas this year. As I read through the familiar passages of Scripture surrounding Jesus’ birth, several people stand out—examples of what I don’t want to be, and examples of what I hope to become.

In Luke 2:1–18, we meet the innkeeper. Though unnamed, he provided Mary and Joseph a place in the stable. Scripture tells us nothing more about him, but it’s easy to imagine his situation: an overcrowded inn, endless responsibilities, and constant pressure to meet the needs of weary travelers arriving for the census. Whether he worked alone or oversaw a staff, he was simply too busy to notice that the Messiah had arrived under his very roof. I see myself in the innkeeper. Every Christmas I find myself juggling countless tasks—organizing details, leading people, serving others, attending church programs, preparing the house, shopping, wrapping gifts…. Many years I reach December 26 only to realize that, like the innkeeper, I’ve accomplished every task, but missed the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Instead, I want to be like the shepherds who, upon hearing the angels’ announcement, hurried to be in Jesus’ presence. They set aside their responsibilities long enough to witness the miracle firsthand, and afterward they joyfully shared the good news.

In Matthew 2:1–16, King Herod responds very differently to the news of Jesus’ birth. Threatened by the arrival of the true King, he went to extreme lengths to protect his power. While I would never act as King Herod did, I can mirror his desire for control—allowing pride and self-reliance to keep Jesus from ruling fully in my heart. Instead, I want to imitate the Magi, who left their own agendas behind to follow the star that led them to Christ. When they found Him, they stayed, worshiped, and honored Him.

Finally, in Luke 2:21–38, Simeon and Anna show us another way to approach Christmas: with continual prayer, worship, and expectant hearts. Because they sought the Lord faithfully, they recognized Jesus instantly and experienced Him in a uniquely personal way.

This Christmas, like the shepherds, the Magi, Simeon, and Anna, I want to seek Jesus, encounter Him deeply, worship Him truly, and be forever changed by the miracle of His birth.

We have an ongoing debate in our house regarding which point in the year it becomes acceptable to begin playing Christmas music. Some in our family have no issues with listening to Christmas music year-round—and they do. There are others of us (the sane ones) who prefer not to hear Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. Since we surpassed that point this very week, I expect to hear Christmas music in most places for the next several weeks.

Hearing those familiar holiday songs, among other things, is a sign that we have officially entered the Christmas season. Another indication is the appearance of nativity scenes in homes and churches all over the world. Most of these sets have similar contents—some animals, a handful of shepherds and wise men, probably an angel or two, and, of course, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

We know from the Scriptures, however, that there is more to the Christmas story than the average nativity set portrays. This is one of the main reasons why I love the season of Advent. As we worship together these next few weeks, we will explore many of the key Advent Scriptures from the ancient promises of the Old Testament to their beautiful fulfillment in Jesus during our series Awaiting Advent: The Promises before the Manger. To make the most out of our Advent teaching times, I hope you will participate in our reading plan, which is available online or in bookmark form.

We’ll also be lighting our Advent candles to remind us of the great gifts we’ve received through Christ’s birth—HOPE, LOVE, JOY, PEACE, and CHRIST Himself.

I’m looking forward to a uniquely special Advent season with our church family this year as we point others to our true Savior and King!